Matchbox dispenser



M. HORN.

MATQHBOX DISPENSER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Jan. 15, 1952 Filed NOV. 10, 1949 4 m H w W M INVENTOR. 4052'.

Jan. 15, 1952 M. HORN MATCI-IBOX DISPENSER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 110, 1948 m 6 R Q m 4 m EWV WMVNI/ iilllilllllli'l'llil Ill n m fi r N I o 1 ME x H .0. ll e I F m 8 n w 3 2 M 3 0 H Y I! a Y B Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATCHBOX DISPENSER Monroe Horn, Corpus Christi, Tex. I Application November 10, 1949, Serial No. 126,621

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel, and useful improvements in match boxj dispensers and is a continuation'in part of my copending application Serial No. 109,096 whichjwas filed on August 8, 1949.

It is the object 'of this invention to improve the package and dispenser for matches, toothpicks and structurally, similar objects by the addition of members attached to the upper longitudinal edges of the sides of the receptacle, which extend inwardly of the receptacle in a single plane in order to hold the articles in an orderly fashion and to prevent the articles from inadvertently becoming separated from the container or receptacle when the receptacle is pulled an excessive amount through oneor the other of the open ends of the retaining tube.

It is another object of this invention to support the sides of the receptacle by means of a fixed bafile strip which is secured at the discharge end of the receptacle to both sides preventing separation of the sides and guiding the articles which are to be dispensed toward the rear and bottom of the receptacle so that they are received in the chute from the back part thereof, whereby overcrowding of the chute is obviated.

Ancillary objects and features will become apparent in following the illustrated form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blank showing various fold lines from which the article of the invention is made;

Figure 2* is a perspective view of the blank shown in Figure 1, showing a condition of the parts when the device is partially folded;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle in the completely folded position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device, portions being broken away to show internal structure, and;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal-sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and in the direction of the arrows;

In my co-pending application I have illustrated, described and claimed a device dealin with similar subject matter. Added to the subject matter of my co-pending application is a number of features tending to render the article of the invention more satisfactorily operative.

The device consists of twomajor parts. There is a tube In which is essentially conventional in nature having an upper open end l2 and a lower open end I4. The tube is a four-sided member.

A receptacle generally indicated at It is slidably disposed in the tube, and is capable of passing through either the upper end or the lower end of the tube l2. The receptacle is largely made in a manner similar to the receptacle disclosed in my. co-pending application. Ther'eis a bottom I8 having 'a transverse foldline 20 along one end thereof. The-material on one side of the fold line is divided into three parts 22, 24 and '26. These parts connected together, form one end of the receptacle. The'two members 22 and 26 are superimposed as shown in Figure 3, and held together by'any suitable means, as'glueing, .stapling or the like. The part 24 is disposed on the tab 22 and has its center section glued or otherwise rigidly fixed thereto. Weakened lines 28 and 30, weakened as by perforation or scoring are formed in the part. 24 sothat the end pieces 32 and 34 may be torn from the center part of the member 24 so as to form a support. Apertures 36 are formed in the support 32 and 34 in order to receive a hook 38, nail or the like which is secured rigidly to an anchored member, as a door, wall or the like. This forms the upper end of the receptacle IS.

The receptacle has sides 40 and 42 respectively which are made by simply folding along longitudinal fold lines provided in the blank (see Figure 1). Along the longitudinal edges of the sides 40 and 42 there is a pair of longitudinal flap members or flaps 44 and 46 respectively. These flaps are employed for a dual purpose. The first is to form a guide-way for the matches 48 during dispensing thereof. The second function is to prevent the matches from inadvertently falling through the open top of the receptacle l6 if the receptacle is pulled outwardly an excessive amount from the tube l0. Therefore, in operation the front wall of the tube l0 does not guide the matches or other articles while they are being dispensed (see Figure 5) but the articles adjacent the front wall of the tube Ill are guided by engagement with the flaps 44 and 46.

The discharge end of the receptacle l6 forms a chute for the articles being dispensed. The blank has a rectangular flap 50 extending from the end opposite the part 24. The rectangular flap 50 is folded along the line 5| until it is per pendicular to the plane of the bottom l8 and the extensions 52 and 54 are folded substantially 90 to the rectangular chute bottom forming flap 50. Thereafter the sides 56 and 60 of the extension 52 and 54 respectively are folded flat against the side 40 and 42 of the receptacle as disclosed in Figure 3. The portions 64 and 66 are disposed on top of the members 44 and 46 when the discharge end 01' the receptacle I6 is in the closed condition. A weakened portion, as by perforations 53, forms a removable tab. When removed a finger hole 55 is provided for facility of match removal and thereby generally reducing wear of the device.

A pair of flaps 88 and 10 are fixed to the lower edges of the sides 42 and 44 and adjacent the lon itudinal fla znember and 46, Wh n the sides MandAZ-are ioldgd substantially 90 toa position substantially 90 with respect to the plane of the bottom l8, the flaps 68 and 10 are. superimposed (Figure 4) to form a baffle strip for the matches, preventing them from falling directly into the chute thereby overcrowding the chute at the front part thereof. Another purp o the strip formed y thefia 65- and '10;

is to rigidify the sides 42 and 40 preventing excess separation of the sides or excess movement of one side with respect tothe other.

The side piecesifi and 60 have slanted edges 12 and 14 respectively. which are adapted to engagethe front wall of thetube l when the dis-. charge end of the receptacle is hingedly operated to the open position. The members 56 and 54 which-are actually tabsforming a-part ofthe exte'nsions52 and 54, form the stop for the lower endof the discharge chute. base or bottom 50 when the device is in the discharging condition.

From the foregoing an understanding of the structure and operation of the invention is deemed apparent torthoseskilledin theart.

"Having described the. invention, what claimed as new-is:

. 1; -A package and=dispenser for matches, tooth picks-andstructurall-y similar articles, said package eomprisinganopen ended-tube with a receptacle slidably disposed therein, said receptacle having a bottom, sides, an upper end and a discharge end hingedly connected with said bottom and forming a discharge chute, a hanger operatively connected with said upper end, and a baflle strip forming a part of said discharge end fixed to each side to support said sides and to form a guide for the articles discharged and lgngitud-inal-i;iat= members-secured to each side to retain-the articles in the recep'tacle when said receptacle is pulled outwardly from said tube an excessive amount.

. 2. In a package and dispenser combination de- REFERENCES VCITED T e o ow ng re er nc s are 1: ecord in t e file of is-pat nt:

Numbe Nam Da e 9513,15 8 ock. era-H? 1 1 10 1439179 13. 9%? T Jilly 41191. 1,2 7,1 2 kes De- 91.6 

